I chatted on the phone with Erick very recently. I'm sure it's OK to share part of our conversation. Erick stated that he will be running a national boat in 2009...So Dave (Villwock) should have his normal ride this year.

And the Voice exclaims, "Side by side and so close they look like one boat" into the microphone. The crowd of spectators leans heavily against the fence to catch a view as the contenders power slide around the last corner and hurtle deck to deck past the last exit buoy. Bounding from sponson to sponson the two hydroplanes remain inches apart from each other as the fans strain on tip toe to get a better view. The weight of the crowd actually bends fence stanchions as the official waves the heralded checkered flag to christen the winner. Thunder resonating from thousands of horsepower blends with the cheers from the fans as the first boat soars over the finish line.

Who won? Who cares? A close contest is what competition is all about. Minox cameras (pronounced MEE-NOCKS) is a camera company joining the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association in continuing the encouragement of just that type of marine motorsports. Parity on the race course has become a hallmark of the ULHRA and a constant source of pride amongst the individual teams and fans. Sponsors like Minox want to help the fans capture that quality of contest with excellent equipment. In addition to that, Minox has created a brand new award that will actually reward drivers for racing that way.

Most racing fans are acquainted with the “photo finish " which implies that a contest was so close at the finish line that it took the careful scrutiny of a photograph by officials to determine the winner. At every regatta on the ULHRA 2009 national circuit, Minox will award a model 8022WP camera to the driver who wins the closest finish in first place.

The “Minox Photo Finish Award " will be presented at each race after the determination is reached by a small panel of officials appointed to the task. All participating classes of hydroplanes and all heats of racing at ULHRA-sanctioned events qualify for consideration.

For the 48th time, the Sports Club of Tampa Bay will honor the area's best and brightest sports achievers at its annual awards banquet. At this year's event -- at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at Higgins Hall -- six athletes will be inducted into the organization's Hall of Fame.

Bernie Little -- The most successful owner in Unlimited Hydroplane racing history. His Miss Budweiser team won 134 of 354 hydroplane races, along with 22 points championships and 14 Gold Cup titles. Little died in Lakeland on April 25, 2003.

For all those who can't be in New Zealand to watch J.Michael Kelly and the rest of the teams compete in the UIM GP Hydros race then here is the next best thing. Speedbox is broadcasting the race live on the internet so you can watch it. The whole day only costs you $9.95 NZD (which is about $5.00 US) and they even have live help desk if you have any problems.

“Yes we are in the process of finalising things. The deal is more or less through but there are some formalities to be completed. It will be a great boost for us if we can host such a high quality event,” QMSF president Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor al-Thani confirmed to Gulf Times yesterday.

We all know that the sport of Unlimited Hydroplane racing is a team sport. Stories of rival teams helping other teams in need of help are heard often. Recently the U-37 team spent time helping the new U-22 Webster Racing team driven by Mike Webster. Crew Cheff Scott Raney (seen above at Madison with driver Jean Theoret) flew to Reading, PA to help this fledgling team by answering questions to help prepare them for life on the ABRA tour.

Known by many in the pits as "Pyro," Scott Raney was at the Webster Racing shop for three days offering useful advice. As Mike writes in an email: "He answer lots of questions concerning the gearbox, plumbing, skid fin, rudder, electrical systems, and exhaust."

Work continues on preparing the once Allison powered former "Tubby" owned by Ed Cooper to make the transformation from piston power to Lycoming T-55 Turbine. Mike and father Steve picked up the hull in October 2008.

Three eye opening days flew by for Mike and his team, saying "While answering many questions, it also created many more - leaving us to realize just how much we really need to learn before we come up to speed. It really gives us an appreciation for just how much technology is really involved in the sport."

The team's goal is still to make the 2009 season. They're working hard to make that goal a reality.

Just an update for you. Picked up J.Michael Kelly and Andrea from the airport here in Auckland, New Zealand this morning. After a spot of breakfast they are headed down south to look at the venue for the second race of the series on Lake Karapiro. From here it is overnight in Cambridge to enjoy the scenery and then tomorrow through to Tauranga where the race is being held. Major TV station here TV3 is doing a story on his visit and he will get his first drive of the boat on Friday morning.

Oryx is one of three or four large antelope species of the genus Oryx, typically having long straight almost upright or swept back horns. Two or three of the species are native to Africa, with a fourth native to the Arabian Peninsula. Small populations of several oryx species, such as the "Scimitar Oryx", exist in Texas and New Mexico, USA as captive populations on wild game ranches

The faceoff marked the third time three generations of the King family have been part of one team, with a Port Huron International Silver Stick Hockey Tournament title in their crosshairs. Bob King, the coach of the Flags, stood next to his son Jim on the bench as they watched Bobby King, Jim's son, help the Flags earn a 2-1 victory at McMorran Arena against the Mississauga (Ontario) Jets.

Well everyone, only a week or so left before the UIM World Championships for the Grand Prix Hydros here in Kiwiland. J.Michael is all set and packed and ready to head downunder to drive Peter Knights famous boat called Boss Mobil 1.

The following link will have updates as we get closer as well as updates from throughout the days heats and racing so please stop in and join the forum to get all the latest as one of America's young guns takes on the Ausies and the Kiwis.